February 12, 2025

5 Foodie Tips from P.Y.O.

At Foundry, we know that what we eat matters for performance, recovery, longevity, and overall health.

That’s why we’ve partnered with PICK.YOUR.OWN. (P.Y.O.), a grab-and-go concept built on organic, regenerative food that fuels your body the right way.

Here are 5 expert-backed foodie tips from P.Y.O. to help you train stronger, recover smarter, and live longer:

#1: Go organic

Organic food is nothing new, but the actual benefits of choosing organic are often forgotten or questioned.

Apart from the obvious – that organic produce has no pesticide residue and man-made additives – some scientific studies have also proven that organic food can contain higher nutrient levels, more antioxidants and are also grown using more sustainable farming practices that benefit the soil.

Whilst the largest benefits are often seen in crop-based foods, organic meat has been found to have nearly 50% more omega-3 fatty acids and significantly lower concentrations of saturated fats.

So if you go organic, you can fuel up on protein and healthier fats!

#2: Regenerative – a buzzword or the real deal?

A lot of people are talking about regenerative farming at the moment, but these farming practices have actually been around for a long time.

At its simplest, regenerative agriculture is a farming system that aims to restore soil health and protect the environment during the farming process.

But why is this better for you?

Livestock that’s produced using regenerative farming methods provides a number of benefits vs intensively-farmed products:

Pasture-fed means no grain and in turn, animals take longer to reach maturity (as long as nature intended)
Rotational grazing means greater animal welfare (no confined spaces or cages), new plant growth and better soil health and
These feeding techniques mean that the animals have lower fat content vs intensively-farmed livestock.

Overall, this means that the meat is more nutritious, has lower water and fat contents, is not pumped full of hormones and has more flavour! All whilst also preserving (and actually benefiting) the environment in which it’s grown.

#3: Fava beans – Britain’s original bean

The fava bean is an underrated British classic. It’s a superfood that’s rich in fibre, plant-based proteins and several vitamins and minerals (including manganese and almost all B vitamins).

Being rich in manganese and copper means that fava beans are amazing for bone health, which is essential for longevity in both the gym and everyday life.

Whilst the small but mighty legume also contains 8g of protein and only 88 calories per 100g serving, you should definitely be swapping out rice for this all-rounder!

At P.Y.O. we mix it with ezme paste, a spicy Turkish marinade made of tomatoes, peppers, and pomegranate molasses. Yum.

#4: Cold-pressed British rapeseed oil – the new kid on the block

Canola oil in disguise? Definitely not!

Rapeseed oil has had a bad rep for a long time…and rightly so if you’re thinking of the ultra-processed US-cousin, canola oil. Cold-pressed British rapeseed oil is here to change all of that.

Unlike other oils that are extracted using heat or chemicals, cold-pressing is a mechanical process where the seeds are crushed to extract the oil without using heat or solvents, leaving the oil a wonderful yellow colour and preserving the natural nutrients and flavours.

Time to swap out olive oil? We think so, and here’s why: as well as being a local British product, cold-pressed rapeseed oil is higher in omega 3, has fewer calories, less saturated fat and a higher-smoke point than olive oil. It’ll also help your wallet if you make the switch.

#5: Natural bee pollen

The perfect topper to your organic juice or even sprinkled over your morning protein porridge, bee pollen is a superfood.

It’s packed with B vitamins, amino acids (it contains all 22!) and antioxidants like flavonoids and carotenoids.

What does this mean in terms of your health?

A combination of flower pollen, nectar and bee saliva that is stored in the hive, bee pollen not only supports your immune system, but also helps with hormone balance, digestive health, and energy.

All of which are essential factors for a longer, healthier life. Time to add it to your pre or post-workout shake?

P.Y.O. is a new grab-and-go restaurant, located just a few minutes’ walk from both our Bank and Aldgate gyms.

Their seasonal menu features organic produce, slow-cooked regeneratively-farmed meats and bold flavours that will leave you craving more. Pair with their fresh organic juices made to order, packed with nutrients to keep you feeling your best.

Foundry Members get 25% off all P.Y.O. salads & juices in February – head to the app (or check your email) for your discount code.